Ps: Here's the promised bonus chapter on 15 power stones-
***
Another year had passed. I was fifteen now. Despite my efforts to contact Jester and unravel this bizarre situation, he never showed up. So, I'd come to accept that I'd been resurrected into someone else's future.
It wasn't just the body; it was my parents, too. They looked exactly the same in both timelines. It was almost uncanny.
I'd also learned that the name my birth parents had given me was Theodore Volkov. I had a small family: an elder sister, Aanya, who dreamed of awakening her bloodline, and parents who were retired hunters. We'd often share meals and spend time together, learning more about each other.
Though I wasn't particularly interested in the minutiae of our family's status, I'd picked up some facts. We lived in the city of Mist and held the position of normal citizens, or one might say, commoners. The hierarchy here was clear-cut:
The Lesser
The Citizens
The Contestants
The Nobles
The Royals
My parents had once been contestants but had long since retired, leaving us as above-average citizens. That was also why Aanya was so intent on awakening her bloodline. It was kind of funny how often I called her Aanya when her real name was Caera.
She'd tear up every time I made the mistake. I wanted to accept her, to accept them all, but I couldn't shake the fear of losing them again. Maybe that's why I never helped them elevate our status.
I had this lingering belief that power just brought trouble.
I'd also learned about the basics of being a contestant. It seemed that people use a second identity for their contestant's information to keep their real identity secret. This keeps them safer and separates their two lives.
That was when I realized Jester was just a fake identity. Behind that mask was the future Caedes—me. Even though being resurrected into that man's adolescent body felt strange, I couldn't deny the allure of being with my family again.
Gradually, I stopped thinking of myself as a separate entity. I knew I didn't belong here, but I couldn't run away from the body I had resurrected into. I couldn't escape the fact that no matter what I thought or did, I was no longer Keiren Astaroth.
I was Caedes.
***
"Caedes! Wake up!"
Jolted awake, my body was drenched in water. I blinked through the haze, shivering as the cold water trickled down my body. My mom stood at the foot of my bed, her smug smile unmistakable.
"Mom! I'm fifteen. Can't you wake me up without soaking me? I'm freezing!" I grumbled, trying to warm up.
"It's not like you don't like water," she said matter-of-factly. "You bathe at least three times a day!"
Well, she wasn't wrong. I did have a habit of keeping myself clean. I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. I shuffled to the bathroom, stripped off my wet clothes, and took a proper shower.
As the warm water enveloped me, I thought about how much I'd changed. If anyone from my past life saw me now, they'd be shocked. I no longer had that cold, reserved aura. I had come to terms with everything—this life and my previous one. Yet, sometimes, it felt like a bad dream.
With a towel in hand, I dried myself off. Just then, my dad walked into the room, his gaze landing on Mom as she made the bed.
"Irene, where's Caedes?" he asked, his tone curious.
"Well, he's taking a bath right now," Mom replied with a shrug. "He should be done soon."
Dad chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That boy," he said with a wry smile. "Our family prays to the god of fire, hoping someone will awaken their bloodline, and here he is, avoiding warmth like it's the plague."
Mom laughed, and they exchanged affectionate glances. "At least he doesn't spend all his time soaking in the tub," she said playfully. "Otherwise, we'd have to resort to drastic measures."
Their shared laughter was warm and comforting. It reminded me of how much they cared. I stepped out of the bathroom, still drying my hair, and joined them. "It's not like I'm obsessed with bathing, you know," I said, rolling my eyes with a grin.
I was their child, Caedes. The second born to the Volkov household; Theodore Volkov.
There I stood, in the doorway, with tousled wet hair and a towel draped over my shoulder. My outfit—a pair of black jeans and a blue t-shirt that I'd tossed on the bed—was pretty casual, but it suited me well.
My shoes matched the T-shirt, and my smile felt genuine. At 5'11", I had a slender frame and pale skin. My face still bore traces of baby fat, but my blue eyes held warmth and affection as they met my parents' gaze.
I ran another towel through my hair with a contented sigh, basking in the comfort of my family's presence. Despite my quirks and idiosyncrasies, I knew I was loved unconditionally. Surrounded by my parents' warmth, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for our bond.
My dad, Alex, commanded attention without even trying. His short black hair framed his face, and his refined, muscular physique made his imposing stature even more striking.
His black robe and vibrant red pants hinted at his status and sophistication, while his piercing black eyes seemed to hold a universe of knowledge and wisdom.
Alex wasn't just a man; he was a force to be reckoned with. His gaze, deep as the abyss, felt like it could see straight into the essence of life itself, leaving no secret hidden from his perceptive eyes.
As the patriarch of the Volkov household, he carried himself with purpose and determination. Every action he took was guided by a steadfast commitment to our family's legacy.
Even though he had this formidable presence, I knew there was warmth in Alex's demeanor. Beneath his stern exterior was a deep love for his family, especially me. He hoped that one day, I would fulfil the legacy of our bloodline.
Standing next to him was Mom, Irene. She wore a black jumpsuit with golden lines swirling around it, her long red hair and brown eyes contrasting with Dad's features. Her smile was warm as she looked at me.
"Caedes," she began, "When will you start participating in prayers or even basic rituals? I've told you many times before- to awaken any bloodline, you must first obtain their faith. Only when the god acknowledges you will you be bestowed with a bloodline."
I fake smiled at my parents. They were right.
To awaken a bloodline, you could either perform rituals and prayers until the god acknowledges you or have a bloodline within you potent enough to awaken on its own. But I shook my head and said softly,
"Like I've said countless times before, Mom, Dad. I don't want to awaken a bloodline. I just want to live a peaceful life."
My parents both shook their heads as they watched me leave the house. I decided to take a stroll outside to clear my mind, slightly annoyed by their persistent attempts. 'What do I even need a bloodline for?'
***
P/S: If only they knew that today would certainly be a day Caedes will never forget.
It was time for a wake-up call.
***
The roadway I walked previously was eerily silent. The place was in shambles, recently abandoned. Blood stains on the walls and road were still fresh.
Among the dozen houses, one was more destroyed than the rest. The garden in front had been stamped down fiercely, with deep footprints in the soil. The walls had huge holes and broken bricks scattered around, while the inside of the house was a sight few could handle.
Glass shards littered the floor, and signs of battle were everywhere. The main hall was stained red, and there I was—a 15-year-old boy—kneeling on the ground, hugging the body lying in the crimson pool.
My eyes were swollen, and muffled sobs echoed through the silent walls. Lightning illuminated the darkness as I stood up and looked at those lifeless eyes. It had been a long time since I felt this way—longer than the sands of time could count.
'NO, NO, NO. NOT AGAIN. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING,'
Panic consumed me. I had experienced so much loss. First, Keiren... and now, even as Caedes? Wasn't this life supposed to be better?
I remembered what Jester had told me just before my life as Keiren ended.
"You do not deserve happiness."
***